August 14 is the ninth annual Dirty Linen Night, the French Quarter’s main summer art event. Galleries between the 1000-200 blocks of Royal Street will stay open until 9 p.m. and are free to the public, with the artists mingling or even working in front of attendees. Participating shops will have flags outside or a laundry basket.

Summer is usually slow for gallery sales, so Dirty Linen Night ignites some much-needed enthusiasm for the French Quarter art world. Part of that excitement will come from lower prices on art and from the Dirty Linen Night’s social atmosphere. The street is closed to traffic so people are free to mill around, drinks in hand, as they peruse the galleries. The Royal House will have a special menu and serve the event’s signature drink, Dirty Linen Night martinis. Nine different locations along Royal Street will serve Creole cuisine (“dirty rice”, get it?) to satisfy hunger pangs.